The Frozen Pipes Are Calling…

The Chicago area has had some cold weather lately- with temperatures averaging around 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit and wind chill factors bringing it below zero in the last couple weeks.  And with cold weather and especially chilling winds, comes frozen pipes. It’s important to keep the water pipes in your home from freezing: frozen pipes can … Continue reading “The Frozen Pipes Are Calling…”

MacBanana Chocolate Chip Scones

This is a sweet and chocolatey scone, but not too sweet or filling; with a cake-like consistency and a hint of banana flavor. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup butter or margarine 1 ripe mashed banana 1 … Continue reading “MacBanana Chocolate Chip Scones”

Tub and Shower Drain Clogs

Bio Clean Women’s jams & jellies are a common tub drain clog culprit. These items get into the drain because they sit on top of the skin and are washed down the drain when bathing or showering. Add those oils to soap scum and hair and you have some serious drain blockage. Today there are body scrubs that … Continue reading “Tub and Shower Drain Clogs”

Water Heaters “cash for clunkers” program

Most homeowners don’t start thinking about their water heater until it suddenly stops working; which means they don’t have much time to shop around for the best deal and the most energy efficient model on the market.  When there’s no hot water in your home and you’re aching for a nice hot shower, you’ll take … Continue reading “Water Heaters “cash for clunkers” program”

Sump Pump or Sewage Ejector?

Many people have heard of sump pumps, but not many people know about sewer ejectors- also called sewage ejector pumps.  And with all of the different makes and models of pumps out there for both sump pumps and sewage ejectors, it can be hard to tell which you have in your home without the help … Continue reading “Sump Pump or Sewage Ejector?”

Tree roots: winter is their growing season

Some of our most common services involve clearing tree roots from sewer pipes and repairing the damage caused by the infiltration of tree roots. The pipes that take a home’s sewer waste away from the building and into the city sewage system are the most vulnerable to tree root intrusion. A tree’s roots can extend … Continue reading “Tree roots: winter is their growing season”

Finish winterizing: have you disconnected your garden hose?

Most of us in the Chicago area may have looked out our windows today and saw the first snow flurries of the season. It was a pretty sight to see the fluffy flurries fluttering through the air… and an even prettier sight to see that they weren’t really sticking to the ground… With the temperatures … Continue reading “Finish winterizing: have you disconnected your garden hose?”

Don’t put it down your drain: cooking oil and grease

We all know we’re not supposed to pour used cooking oil, bacon fat, or other grease products down the drain, but we do it anyway.  And The Scottish Plumber knows we do it anyway because we are often called to open kitchen drains when they get clogged, and remove globs and globs of solidified cooking … Continue reading “Don’t put it down your drain: cooking oil and grease”

MacAlmond Crumb Scones

The almond extract in these scones make them sweet-tasting and cookie-like, and the crunchy crumb topping is simply delicious!  They are baked together in a circle, so the insides of the scones stay incredibly moist.  Definitely one of our favorites so far! Ingredients: Crumb Topping: 2 tablespoons butter or margarine – firm 3 tablespoons all-purpose … Continue reading “MacAlmond Crumb Scones”

Don’t let Thanksgiving overwork your disposal

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and families across the country are gathering together and cooking huge meals… then cleaning up after those meals and sending bits of turkey fat, cranberry sauce, and potatoes down their garbage disposals.  As drain cleaners and plumbers, one of our busiest days of the year is the day after Thanksgiving.  Instead of … Continue reading “Don’t let Thanksgiving overwork your disposal”